Former president, John Dramani Mahama, has urged Ghanaians to commemorate the June 4 Uprising with “utmost respect and gratitude.”

June 4 Uprising was a mutiny in Ghana in 1979 that arose due to a combination of corruption and perceived bad governance.

This led to frustration among the general public and misunderstandings within the Ghanaian army leading to the execution by firing squad of three former military heads of state and some senior military officials.

According to John Mahama, the Uprising “birthed the principles of probity and accountability” and must spur Ghana’s leadership to “work selflessly and tirelessly towards a brighter future for Ghana and uphold the legacy of those who came before us.”

“Forty-four years ago today, our nation was gripped by a conflagration- triggered by a fight for justice and accountability. Regrettably, lives were lost.

“We honour the memory of all who were involved in the catastrophic events of June 4, 1979. Their sacrifices paved the way for the democracy and constitutional governance we enjoy today,” he stated in a Facebook post.